2023 Data Shows Life Expectancy Nearing Pre-Pandemic Levels, CDPH Reports

CHICAGO - New data from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) highlights a third consecutive year of growth in life expectancy for Chicagoans, reaching 78.7 years in 2023. This marks an increase of 1.5 years since 2022, when life expectancy was 77.2 years. The latest data brings the city close to its pre-pandemic peak of 78.8 years in 2019, which was the highest life expectancy ever recorded in Chicago.

The life expectancy gap between Black Chicagoans and all other residents, referred to as non-Black Chicagoans, has slightly narrowed, decreasing from 11.4 years in 2022 to 10.6 years in 2023. This improvement is attributed to reductions in premature deaths caused by COVID-19, as well as chronic diseases.

"The significant gains we've made in life expectancy are the result of years of coordinated efforts across the city," said CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo 'Simbo' Ige, MD, MS, MPH. "Nearly eliminating COVID-19 deaths-once the largest driver of the racial life expectancy gap-has been key. We're also seeing progress in reducing deaths from heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and homicide, particularly among Black Chicagoans. These improvements, along with community initiatives like Family Connects, PlayStreets, and violence prevention programs, are helping close the gap and improve health outcomes citywide."

In 2023, life expectancy improved for all race and ethnicity groups since 2020, but only White Chicagoans surpassed their pre-pandemic life expectancy while Asian and Pacific Islander (PI), Latino, and Black Chicagoans did not reach their respective life expectancy levels observed in 2019. Asian and Pacific Islander Chicagoans had the highest life expectancy at 86.8 years, while Black Chicagoans had the lowest at 71.8 years.

Nonetheless, the largest increases in life expectancy among race and ethnicity groups since 2020, have been among Black Chicagoans, who experienced an increase of 6.1% (4.1 years) and Latino Chicagoans who experienced a 5.8 % increase (4.5 years) since their pandemic levels.

What causes the life expectancy gap in Chicago?

The 10.6-year gap in life expectancy between Black and non-Black Chicagoans is driven by several key causes of death. Chronic disease category is the largest direct contributor, accounting for 4.7 years of the gap. Within chronic diseases, heart disease is the biggest factor responsible for 1.9 years, followed by cancer (1 year), other chronic diseases (1.1 years), and stroke (0.5 years). The other contributors to the gap include homicides (1.9 years), opioid overdoses (1.5 years), accidents (motor-vehicle accidents, non-opioid drug overdoses) at 0.6 years, infant mortality (0.5 years), infectious diseases (sepsis, pneumonia, HIV, etc.) at 0.4 years, and other causes (1.3 years).

"Homicides and opioid overdose deaths combined account for nearly one-third of the racial life expectancy gap," said Dr. Ige. "Closing this gap requires action on many fronts. We're expanding access to harm reduction supplies and drug test kits in the communities most affected by opioid overdoses. Thanks to our collaborative efforts with partners, we have seen a 33% decrease in gun violence in 2025 compared to 2024, and a 38% drop in opioid overdose deaths in 2024 compared to 2023. Alongside community conversations on heart health and chronic disease prevention, and ongoing work across public health, we remain committed to building a healthier, safer Chicago for all residents."

In 2023, all five priority communities outlined in the Healthy Chicago 2025 Strategic Plan-West Garfield Park, East Garfield Park, Englewood, West Englewood, and North Lawndale-had life expectancies below 70 years. In contrast, neighborhoods with the highest life expectancy levels were all above 80 years.

The North Central region had the city's highest average life expectancy at 82.6 years, while the Near South region had the lowest at 73.1 years. At the neighborhood level, residents of the Loop had the highest average life expectancy (87.3 years), compared to just 66.6 years in West Garfield Park-a difference of 20.7 years.

CDPH is actively working to close the city's life expectancy gap through its Healthy Chicago 2025 Strategic Plan. This plan includes seven targeted action areas that address the root causes behind the gap-focusing on chronic disease, violence, substance use, infectious disease, infant and maternal health, mental health, and building strong community partnerships.

The department remains committed to working with communities to accelerate progress. Updates on key public health initiatives will continue to be shared through various platforms, including the Healthy Chicago Newsletter and the Healthy Chicago Podcast, available in both English and Spanish, monthly Board of Health meetings, and quarterly updates to City Council at Health and Human Relations Committee meetings. These tools help ensure accountability and support CDPH's goal of strengthening Chicago's public health infrastructure.

To access the data brief providing an update on the life expectancy of Chicagoans, please visit the CDPH Public Health Reports, Data, and Publications webpage. For more data on life expectancy, please visit the Chicago Health Atlas.

For more information on the Healthy Chicago Strategic Plan, visit the CDPH Healthy Chicago website.

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